The Prodigal's Return

 another from the archives

Soft, kindly waiting, reaching forth to me;

All of His patience waits for my return;

To fold me in His love, replenish me,

And soothe the aching needs that toss and burn.

Why am I then so slow to turn to Him?

Knowing His love, my folly runs away!

All richness dwells in Him, all plenitude;

Yet, from His liberality I stray!

The deserts of my painful emptiness,

The dreary desolation of the heart

Adrift from God, sin's mocking loneliness,

Are things in which the wise man has no part.

I will have done with husks! My Father's love

Is all my true desire. His pastures green

Have a dear beauty. I will rise and go,

Returning where I should have always been.

I will confess my sorriness and sin;

Before my Father's throne speak out my shame.

Oh, how I long His doorkeeper to be;

His slave, His servant, dare I make such claim?

His love forestalls me! Ah, His grace! His grace!

The warmth of His embrace for such as I,

Who fled His love so long! The robe! The ring!

For me, the fatted calf led forth to die!